Table Mountain hike: the three main routes
Platteklip Gorge is the direct route and the one most people choose. India Venster starts next to the lower cableway station and involves scrambling. Skeleton Gorge starts in Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden on the other side of the mountain. All three gain a lot of height in a short distance, and the weather on top can change quickly.
Whichever route you choose, plan the way down as well. Many walkers go up on foot and ride the cableway down, but the cableway can close for wind or cloud, so be ready to walk back. Lion's Head is a separate, shorter hike with its own page.
Routes compared
Times are rough guides. They depend on fitness and conditions.
| Route | Start | Distance and time | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platteklip Gorge | Tafelberg Road | About 3 km, 1 to 3 hours uphill | Steep stone steps, moderate to tough |
| India Venster | Right of the lower cableway station, yellow footprints | 2.9 km | Scrambling, for experienced and fit hikers |
| Skeleton Gorge | Fragrance Garden, Kirstenbosch | About 5.5 hours up and down | Ladders, stream bed, rock scrambling |
Our picks: guided hikes
Three hikes with a local guide; the cable car is not part of them.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Guided summit hike up Table Mountain
A local guide, safety briefing, first-aid kit and a small group, on a route you choose with the guide. Cable car extra; pickup, food and drinks are not included.
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Table Mountain hike with a qualified guide
A qualified guide, adjustable routes and start points, headlamps and a fynbos walk or storytelling stop. Cable car tickets, transport to the start and meals are extra.
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Lion's Head or Table Mountain with a guide
A registered guide with first-aid training and headlamps. Hotel pickup only if you choose that option; the Table Mountain cable car ticket is extra.
Check availability →Table Mountain hikes and guided climbs
Guided hikes, cableway combinations and Cape Town day trips with live prices and availability.
Platteklip Gorge, India Venster and Skeleton Gorge
What each route asks of you.
Platteklip Gorge
The route starts on Tafelberg Road and climbs a steep gorge on stone steps to the upper cableway station, about 3 km. The park authority gives 1 to 3 hours and calls it moderate to tough. The cableway operator suggests 1.5 to 2 hours, and a guided tour operator says 2 to 3 hours with a climb of about 700 m. Treat all of these as rough guides, and add time for the descent.
India Venster
The path starts to the right of the lower cableway station and is marked with yellow footprints. It has scrambling sections and asks for better than average fitness. The descent is difficult, so it suits experienced hikers only.
Skeleton Gorge
The route starts at the Fragrance Garden in Kirstenbosch and climbs a steep gorge with ladders. Parts of the path run in the stream bed and over rocks. Count on about 5.5 hours for the round trip. It is slippery in winter and dangerous after heavy rain.
Kirstenbosch guide →Coming back from Skeleton Gorge
You can return the same way or descend through Nursery Ravine near Castle Rock. A detour to Maclear's Beacon is possible but adds time. Do not assume you can reach the cableway station in 5.5 hours. Garden entry and opening hours apply if you start from inside Kirstenbosch.
The summit plateau
The park authority advises against the walk to Maclear's Beacon in low cloud or fog, because it is easy to lose your way on the plateau. The highest point is about 1,086 m, and some listings give 1,088 m.
Weather and the tablecloth →Safety rules for hiking Table Mountain
The park authority's basics, in short.
Do not hike alone
Go in a group, ideally of four. Walk at the pace of the slowest person. Tell someone your route and when you expect to be back.
Start early
An early start leaves daylight for the descent. Turn back in good time if the weather or the clock turns against you.
Carry the right kit
Take sturdy shoes, waterproof and warm clothing even in summer, water, food, sun protection and a charged phone. Phone reception is not available everywhere on the mountain.
Stay on marked paths
Do not take shortcuts. If you are lost, stay together. If the weather stops you moving, stop in a safe, sheltered spot.
Crime in the park surroundings
The park authority names attacks and robbery around the park. Do not show valuables openly, and do not resist in a robbery.
Emergency numbers
Save the park emergency number 086 110 6417 and Cape Town Emergency Services at +27 21 480 7700 before you start. Nationwide, the police are on 10111 and ambulances on 10177 or 112.
Full safety page →Fire, wildlife and park rules
Seasonal closures and the usual do-nots.
Fire season work and closures
Fire break maintenance along the peninsula began in the week of 15 September 2026 and is expected to finish by December 2026, weather permitting. The park authority warns of a higher fire risk in the coming season. After a fire at Kloof Nek on 3 August 2026, walkers were asked to avoid the Contour Path and the paths next to the cableway. Always follow ranger closures.
Wildlife
Do not feed, touch or harm any animals. That includes baboons and dassies. Do not remove plants or rocks, and make fires only at marked braai sites.
Drones
Recreational drones may not fly over the national park at any point.
Plan the rest of your visit
Before and after the hike.
Hiking Table Mountain: frequently asked questions
How long does it take to hike Table Mountain?
Platteklip Gorge takes roughly 1 to 3 hours uphill, depending on fitness. Plan more time for the descent. Skeleton Gorge is about 5.5 hours for the round trip.
Which is the easiest route up Table Mountain?
Platteklip Gorge is the most direct and is a steady climb on stone steps, but it is still steep and tough. India Venster involves scrambling and Skeleton Gorge has ladders and a stream bed.
Can I hike up and take the cableway down?
Yes, but plan a walk back in case the cableway is closed for weather. Buy a one-way ticket if you only ride down.
Can I hike Table Mountain alone?
The park authority advises against it and suggests a group of four. Go with others, tell someone your route and carry a charged phone.
When should I turn back?
Turn back if cloud closes in, the weather turns or time runs short. Fog on the plateau makes it easy to lose your way.